risking lives mexicans try to salvage belongings
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

after quake

Risking lives, Mexicans try to salvage belongings

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleRisking lives, Mexicans try to salvage belongings

Risking lives, Mexicans try to salvage belongings after quake
Mexico - Muslimchronicle

The small but spry octogenarian lived in Mexico City's Narvarte neighborhood in a four-story apartment building, half of which collapsed during the 7.1-magnitude quake.

Her half is the one that collapsed, leaving nothing but one side of walls, including the one with the sepia-toned pictures of her daughters.

"Lupita," as her friends call her, miraculously escaped the quake, which killed 369 people, mostly in the capital.

The one-time mountain climber, who once traveled the world scaling some of the highest peaks on Earth, had gone out to buy bread just before the ground started to shake.

When she returned, Vazquez thought she had taken the wrong street: the building she had lived in for 50 years was unrecognizable.

Reality sank in when Vazquez saw her photos on the wall.

"I realized that would be the only thing I had left -- if they manage to get them out," she said.

With the unstable building now set to be demolished, the authorities are letting one person at a time go back inside to retrieve belongings.

Accompanied by emergency workers, they bring out whatever they can, backpack after backpack, for themselves and their neighbors.

Each time one of these daring young volunteers comes back down from the rubble, they are greeted with applause, hugs and tears.

"We just said goodbye to our home," said one, sporting a protective harness and helmet after making the trip.

Nearly a month after the quake, that goodbye is especially poignant.

Residents have set up an impromptu camp outside the building, staying there night and day -- ostensibly to fend off looters.

The ground floor of the building used to house a dry cleaning service. For several days after the quake, a worker could still be seen ironing clothes on the street.

- Five minutes -

Residents are limited to five minutes inside.

Hoisted by a crane, they enter through broken windows or holes in the walls, with strict instructions to move as little as possible.

Documents, photos and items of sentimental value are the most prized possessions.

"It's crazy to be in there and see everything smashed to pieces, and you have to try not to create a single vibration," said Jose Colin, 38.

He managed to salvage a hard drive and a picture of him and his fiancee.

Like many of the younger residents, they were at work when the quake hit.

No one was killed when the building collapsed, something residents are calling a miracle.

Another resident, Oscar Landin, came down from the wreckage with a baby Jesus figurine for an elderly neighbor.

"I grabbed as much as I could... I wanted to get our documents from my mom's room, but it was impossible to reach," he said.

Nearly 50 buildings in Mexico City collapsed completely during the earthquake. Another 8,000 were damaged.

This one is on the list of the first 13 that will be demolished. Authorities are still carrying out inspections to decide how many more will be torn down.

source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

risking lives mexicans try to salvage belongings risking lives mexicans try to salvage belongings

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 12:04 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

Thomas Cook sees tourists return to Turkey and Egypt

GMT 20:15 2017 Friday ,17 March

Attack On Aid Convoy in South Sudan Kills Two

GMT 17:32 2017 Friday ,15 September

At least 33 dead in Nigeria boat capsize

GMT 17:23 2013 Friday ,24 May

Woolwich: Terrorism or political murder?

GMT 17:52 2017 Tuesday ,18 April

Meningitis kills 10 more people in NW Nigeria

GMT 18:08 2017 Tuesday ,17 October

Norway solar firm signs 2.5 bn-euro deal with Iran

GMT 07:43 2018 Monday ,22 January

Macron boosts Merkel ahead of key coalition vote

GMT 05:32 2016 Monday ,18 April

Australian dollar falls amid oil talk breakdown

GMT 04:45 2016 Thursday ,15 December

UAE Ambassador and Chilean Energy Minister discuss

GMT 15:34 2011 Saturday ,19 November

Williams to resume sibling rivalry in exhibition

GMT 13:03 2017 Tuesday ,14 March

Snoop Dogg shoots at Trump in new video

GMT 09:37 2016 Monday ,19 September

Southeast Asian haze crisis killed over 100,000

GMT 08:27 2015 Monday ,19 October

Patriots down Colts in 'Deflategate' rematch

GMT 16:36 2017 Tuesday ,12 September

Quarter of houses in Florida Keys destroyed

GMT 21:22 2016 Thursday ,23 June

Poll: Israelis even on Clinton vs. Trump
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle